Executive Summary Report

In accordance with decisions of the First Conference of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Maputo in May 1999 the SCVA held its first intersessional meeting from 15th to 17th September 1999 hosted by the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). On this occasion, a unique gathering of representatives of States Parties, representatives of non States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, international organizations, mine victims and non-governmental organizations coordinated by ICBL (International Campaign to Ban Landmines), had an in-depth exchange of views and experiences on all aspects falling under the auspices of the SCVA. Some 150 experts from all continents, all relevant technical fields at all levels - including ministerial participation - contributed actively to the work of the Committee, which was co-chaired by Mexico and Switzerland with Japan and Nicaragua as co-rapporteurs. The SCVA emphazised the need for a high priority on victim assistance, socio-economic reintegration and mine awarness in the context of mine action. The Committee decided to proceed with a further analysis of "mine awareness" during its second meeting to be held in March 2000. Specific contributions from ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and ICBL will be presented at this meeting. Moreover, the Committee identified several action points to be dealt with by five "Network Groups" (NG) which should commence their work immediately and present a report to the next meeting. Each NG has a facilitator who can help to ensure progress on the action points identified during the SCVA. The five issue-areas and their facilitators have been designated as follows: Information and Data Coordination: Switzerland Victim Assistance Reporting: ICBL, Handicap International Portfolio of Country and Regional Projects: ICBL Strategic Approach to "Guidelines": Nicaragua / Mexico Donor Coordination: Sweden People interested in participating in one of these “Network Groups” are requested to get in touch directly with the facilitator. You will find contact information below. Possible action points raised during the SCVA will be reflected in the report of the co-rapporteurs to be published late October 1999 and will remain on the agenda of the SCVA for its March meeting or for future activities after the Second Conference of States Parties in September 2000. The SCVA confirmed that its second meeting will be held from 29 th to the 31st of March 2000 . It is expected that concrete conceptual and operational conclusions will be prepared at this meeting for the Second Conference of States Parties. Two informal preliminary consultations in Geneva will define the programme and agenda and assess the results of the NGs. The first round is scheduled for late 1999, the second for early 2000. Contact Information : Information and Data Coordination:Mr. Urs Zanitti,
Victim Assistance Co-ordinator
e-mail: u.zanitti@gichd.chVictim Assistance Reporting:Ms. Susan Walker,
Government Relations Liaison,
ICBL
Tel: +1 612 925 9418
Fax: +1 612 928 1945
e-mail: walker(at)icbl.orgMr. Jerry White,
Chair of ICBL Victim Assistance Working Group

Ms. Rebecca Jordan,
Facilitator of ICBL Victim Assistance Working Group
Tel: +1 202 464 0007
Fax: +1 202 464 0011
e-mail: kkqbj(at)aol.com
lsn@landminesurvivors.org
Mr. Paul Vermeulen,
Director, Handicap International Switzerland
e-mail: paulhi(at)compuserve.comPortfolio of Country and Regional Projects: Ms. Susan Walker, Government Relations Liaison, ICBL
Tel: +1 612 925 9418
Fax: +1 612 928 1945
e-mail: walker(at)icbl.orgStrategic Approach to "Guidelines":Ms. Cecilia Sanchez,
Minister Counsellor,
Mission of Nicaragua, Geneva
e-mail: cecilia(at)ties.itu.intMs. Socorro Rovirosa,
Minister, Mission of Mexico, Geneva
e-mail: mission.mexico(at)ties.itu.intDonor Coordination:Mr. Per Almqvist,
Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Sweden

Tel: +46 8 405 1000
Fax: +46 8 723 1176
e-mail: per.almqvist(at)foreign.ministry.se